Salmon Arm

Fewer trustees suggested

There may be fewer names to choose from in the next election for the North Okanagan-Shuswap School District.

Official trustee Mike McKay is encouraging BC’s Education Minister to consider dropping the number of trustees from nine, to five.

McKay said the board would stay in the ward system, but would operate with fewer trustees.

The move is one of 42 recommendations made by an external advisor following the collapse of the board last year shortly before McKay was brought in.

McKay said with four fewer trustees to pay, the move would cut down on costs, it would streamline operations and provide a more balanced representation of all the areas within the district.

“Trustees have an important role, it's a governance role, it's an oversight role and hopefully we will get some good people who will step up,” he said. “There are some things a smaller board will be able to focus on as well.”

McKay pointed out his is only a suggestion and it will be up to the Minister of Education to make the final call.

In June, 2015, the school board was fired from their elected posts, following a special advisor's report.

The dismissal of the board was recommended by special advisor Elizabeth Watson.

According to Watson's report, the board was not functioning well, the situation was deteriorating rapidly and the board had lost the confidence of the community.

Parents were outraged when it was learned the board had approved the transfer of more than $10 million in surplus operating funds into capital funding projects over five years, including the new $9.3 million board offices.